On Oct 13 SpaceX executed the 11th test flight of its fully-reusable Starship rocket from its Starbase launch facility. The 400‑ft tall rocket roared to life under 33 Raptor engines, lifting its upper-stage above the pad ts2.tech. Two and a half minutes after liftoff the Super Heavy booster separated and began a carefully controlled descent. SpaceX ran a sophisticated landing burn and the booster made a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico about 8½ minutes after launch ts2.tech. This marked SpaceX’s third successful Super Heavy recovery and only the second reuse of the booster ts2.tech. The orbiter stage continued into space, deployed its payload, then returned. About 20 minutes into the flight Ship 38 opened its bay and released eight flat panels simulating Starlink satellites ts2.tech. It then reignited one Raptor for a de-orbit burn – proving it can relight in space for future missions. During reentry the Ship’s heat shield was tested and the vehicle performed a banking turn to orient itself. Approximately 66½ minutes after launch, Ship 38 hit the ocean off Western Australia right on target ts2.tech. SpaceX’s live webcast erupted in cheers; on-camera announcer Dan Huot shouted “Let ’em hear it, Starbase – what a
